Low growth hormone secretion in patients with fibromyalgia--a preliminary report on 10 patients and 10 controls.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the secretion of growth hormone in patients with fibromyalgia (FM).


METHODS
Serum concentrations of growth hormone (24 h profiles), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF), and IGF binding protein-3 were determined in 10 women with FM and in 10 healthy controls. Quality of sleep was assessed by means of a visual analog scale.


RESULTS
Sleep was significantly more disturbed in the patients than in controls. A significantly lower secretion of growth hormone was found in the patients in comparison with healthy controls.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that growth hormone secretion is decreased in patients with FM. Substitution therapy with low doses of growth hormone may be worth evaluating in the treatment of FM.
Bagge
E
E
Department of Rheumatology, the Research Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
Bengtsson
B A
BA
Carlsson
L
L
Carlsson
J
J
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged
D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone